Ellis Smith (center), 9, of Cooksville, shows April Merdon, 11, of Ellicott City, how to make string figures while Ellie's brother Tyler Smith, 10, hangs from a fallen tree trunk above a stream at the Howard County Conservancy.

Ellis Smith (center), 9, of Cooksville, shows April Merdon, 11, of Ellicott City, how to make string figures while Ellie's brother Tyler Smith, 10, hangs from a fallen tree trunk above a stream at the Howard County Conservancy. (photo by Sarah Pastrana)

Reconnecting with nature could mean sinking your fingers into the soil, going "off the grid" deep in the forest or galaxy-gazing. All this and more is right in your backyard in Howard County -- from the parks and lakes to working farms and nature-oriented clubs -- making it easy to see just...Howard Magazine Staff